Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Britain's largest breeding bird, the Mute Swan is present year-round around the Sefton Coast. The pure white plumage, orange bill with black knob (larger on males) and arched wing posture when irritated are iconic. Despite the name, they're not truly mute — they hiss, grunt and produce a distinctive wing noise in flight. Nest on waterway edges from April, building enormous mound nests of vegetation. Their cygnets are charcoal grey, turning white through their first winter.
At a Glance
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
| Habitat | Freshwater lagoon · Coastal lake · Estuary edge · Park lake |
| Diet | Aquatic vegetation, algae — tips up to feed on bottom |
| UK population | Around 7,000 breeding pairs; amber-listed due to historical lead poisoning decline |
| Sefton Coast | Resident in small numbers; regular at Marshside and the Marine Lake |
| Conservation | UK Amber List |
Where to See It
Marshside RSPB lagoons, Marine Lake Southport, any larger open water near the coast.
Identification
Unmistakeable. Entirely white, very large. Orange bill with black knob at base (larger on male). Swims with neck in S-curve. In flight, makes distinctive throbbing wing noise.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Any open water near Southport will have Mute Swans. Marine Lake holds a resident flock. At Marshside, look on the main lagoon.
Conservation Status
UK Amber List
This species is on the UK Amber List for Birds (BoCC5), indicating moderate concern. Population monitoring and habitat management remain important for its continued recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Mute Swans break your arm?
This common belief is almost certainly a myth. While Mute Swans are powerful birds and a wing strike can certainly hurt, there are no documented cases of a swan breaking a human arm. A defensive swan will hiss, posture and strike with its wings, but the bones of a bird's wing are hollow and too fragile to generate the force needed to break a human arm. Keep a respectful distance from nesting birds nonetheless.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.